Lower Medicare Part D Costs Than Expected in 2009
As Medicare’s Part D prescription drug program enters its fourth year,
beneficiary satisfaction rates remain high, program costs remain lower than originally expected, and
Medicare prescription drug plan bids reflect nationwide drug price trends. Based on the bids submitted by
Part D plans, CMS estimates that the average monthly premium that beneficiaries will pay for standard Part
D coverage in 2009 will be $28. This is about 37 percent lower than originally projected when the benefit
was established in 2003. Read more...